It's a date: Seven films to release on September 19

Sonam Kapoor was all laughter and smiles at the trailer launch of her upcoming movie Khoobsurat. Check out her many happy moods!

With a medical tape on her left arm, looks like Sonam Kapoor attended this event post a blood donation. (HT Photo)

Here she is sporting the traditional, Rajasthani turban. (IANS)

Sonam Kapoor with Fawad Khan. (IANS Photo)

Sonam Kapoor with sister and producer Rhea Kapoor. (IANS Photo)

Over the weekend, Aditya Chopra’s production house decided to postpone their Aditya Roy Kapur- and Parineeti Chopra-starrer Daawat-e-Ishq by two weeks, to September 19. The news caused quite a stir, as it pushed the number of films now releasing on that date up to seven.

Their decision to postpone was due to “the film’s promotion, which needs more time...”. But this had left other producers fighting for space.

Trade expert Taran Adarsh thinks it’s not a healthy sign. He tells us, “It’s ridiculous. Forget getting business, how would you find screens and shows? Yash Raj is in a commanding position. So is Disney with Khoobsurat.” Talking about the impact on the industry, he adds, “I don’t understand how and why? It’s not a festive date, nor is it a holiday or a long weekend. It’s come as a bit of a shock.”

Genres galoreWhile exhibitor Akshaye Rathi thinks that the films might be able to co-exist. He says, “With Daawat getting postponed, multiple studios will be running to get the best shows for their films. Khoobsurat, too, is a prestigious project... But all the films cater to different audiences. The latter will be more metro-centric whereas the former will appeal to tier two-plus cities. The crowd craving an Anurag Kashyap film will also get their share.”

A source believes that a couple of production houses might try to push their release date. Abhinav Shukla, producer of Ekkees Toppon Ki Salaami, tells us, “The date has become crowded. For us, it is a tentative date right now. We will meet with our distributor and decide the road ahead.”